Bishop Larry Silva ordained Kurt Meyer, left, and Hai “Francis” Pham, center, to the diaconate in May 2023 at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa in Honolulu. Bishop Silva ordained Anthony Tran, right, to the diaconate in January 2024 at the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Honolulu. (Photos courtesy Dann Ebina)
Deacons Kurt Meyer, Hai “Francis” Pham and Anthony Tran prepare for their priestly ordination
By Jennifer Rector
Hawaii Catholic Herald
Years of hard work, discernment and lots of prayers have led three men to the priesthood in the Diocese of Honolulu.
On May 24, Bishop Larry Silva will ordain Deacons Kurt Meyer, Hai “Francis” Pham and Anthony Tran at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa in Honolulu.
This has been a long time coming for the transitional deacons.
“While focusing on my academic work at the seminary, I am mindful of how these years of preparation will shape me into a humble, joyful and holy priest,” said Deacon Tran.
Leading up to this moment has not been easy. It can take seven to nine years to become a priest depending on the order or diocese. It also depends on if the seminarian has a bachelor’s degree.
All three went to St. Patrick’s Seminary and University in Menlo Park, California.
In the seminary, the first few years is focused on philosophy and the last few on theology. During that process the students also spend a “pastoral” year serving in a parish.
Deacon Meyer, who is 52, said studying took twice as long for him than it took when he was in college. Regardless, he is looking forward to engaging with the community as a priest.
“It is a blessing to serve in this capacity, but with it comes great responsibility,” he said.
While discerning, he said he made peace that no one is perfect for the job.
“If you have thought about the priestly vocation but felt you were not smart enough, not prayerful enough and not holy enough: You are right. No one is, but this is where you must trust in God,” he said. “People say I have sacrificed a lot to become a priest, nah. The blessings I have received far outweigh anything I ‘gave up’ to enter seminary.”
Learning how to manage time with studies, rest and prayer has been one of many challenges in this priestly preparation, said Deacon Tran.
“Understanding my own limitations has been a profound learning process, alongside mastering how to interact effectively with diverse personalities,” he said. “The role of a priest demands a surprising level of spiritual and emotional maturity, underscoring why extensive formation is necessary to develop a well-rounded priest.”
Both deacons look forward to ministering the Blessed Sacrament to others.
“Embracing the sacramental life is essential for me to embody the role of the Good Shepherd, following the example of Jesus Christ, who knows, leads and is intimately connected with his flock,” said Deacon Tran.
“As my ordination day approaches, I find myself reflecting on my childhood, when I would pretend to be a priest. Seeing this dream materialize makes me profoundly aware of God’s presence in my life,” he said.
Students from St. Patrick’s Seminary and University gather to honor Bishop Larry Silva at an annual Priest Day event. From left: seminarian Anthony Tran, Deacon Hai “Francis” Pham, Bishop Silva, Deacon Kurt Meyer, seminarian Larry Denis III and seminarian Edgar Allen Pobre. (Courtesy Deacon Hai “Francis” Pham / 2023)
Feeling the call
In past interviews, the deacons shared how it took them several years to accept God was calling them to the priesthood.
Deacon Pham (who could not be reached in time for this story) was born in central Vietnam into a religious family — he has aunts who are religious sisters, an uncle who is a priest and a brother who is a seminarian in Vietnam.
According to a Hawaii Catholic Herald story from his ordination to the transitional diaconate a year ago, Deacon Pham became a hospital manager after college and often engaged in social work and outreach, which inspired him to pursue religious life.
He joined the Carmelite order and stayed for several years, later meeting Bishop Silva through a priest friend. That is how Deacon Pham became a seminarian for the Diocese of Honolulu.
Deacon Meyer considered the priesthood at about age 12, but later brushed off the idea after he joked that his older brother was “smarter and holier,” and his younger brother was adored.
Little did Deacon Meyer know the seed that God planted in his heart then would later flourish.
After getting a bachelor’s degree in accounting and an MBA from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, Deacon Meyer worked in the field for 20 years.
It was not until he worked with the youth at St. Philomena Parish in Salt Lake when he felt God’s gentle nudge.
“I was working with young people and seeing how much they have to go through and how much faith they have,” he previously told the Hawaii Catholic Herald. “And then I realized I was telling them to follow the vocation that God is calling them to, but then I myself wasn’t doing that.
“So, I figured I should listen to my own words and check it out. And that’s what happened.”
Deacon Tran, who is from Los Angeles, had a similar experience of feeling the desire placed in his heart at a young age.
He told the Herald before being ordained a transitional deacon earlier this year that he entered seminary in 2008 for the Diocese of Orange after attending World Youth Day that year in Cologne, Germany. He was 26.
He was discerning between becoming a Salesian, St. Don Bosco’s order, or a diocesan priest for the Diocese of Orange.
He decided to stick with being a diocesan priest but left the seminary after five years.
He pursued a marketing career and earned a master’s degree in theology from the Augustine Institute.
“While working I continued to listen to God in front of the Blessed Sacrament and decided to further discernment toward the priesthood,” Deacon Tran said in the earlier interview with the Herald. His spiritual director introduced him to Bishop Silva.
With Bishop Silva’s guidance, he joined the Diocese of Honolulu.
Now only weeks away from beginning his priestly duties, Deacon Tran said he’s overwhelmed with the support from his loved ones and the community.
“Their spiritual support has been invaluable during this formative period. As my classmates and I approach our priestly ordinations, I humbly request that everyone continues to keep us in their prayers,” Deacon Tran told the Herald recently. “We hope always to prioritize seeking God first in our lives, embracing great humility as we prepare to serve God’s people with unwavering zeal. Your prayers inspire and strengthen us on this sacred journey toward serving the church with deep commitment and love.”
